A Kenya Tanzania safari puts the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti on one itinerary, so you see two of Africa’s most famous plains without flying home in between.
- FromUSD 1,890per person sharing, group joining, low season
- Duration10 days, 9 nights
- StartsNairobi, ends Arusha or Nairobi
- Best forFirst timers wanting both countries in one trip
- StylePrivate 4×4 or scheduled group joining
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
Over 10 days you cross by road or light aircraft from Kenya into northern Tanzania, adding the Ngorongoro Crater and its dense wildlife bowl to a Mara game drive that already delivers lion, elephant and, in season, the great migration.
This guide covers the day by day plan, real border crossing steps, honest pricing for shared and private trips and the visa and packing questions travellers ask us most before they book.
Highlights
- 10 days combining the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti in one loop
- Ngorongoro Crater game drive included on every tier
- Overland border crossing at Isebania or a light aircraft transfer
- Private pop up roof 4×4 or scheduled group joining departures
- Great migration river crossings possible from July to October
- Guide price from USD 1,890 per person sharing, low season
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Arrive Nairobi
Land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where your driver guide meets you for the transfer to your Nairobi hotel. Use the afternoon to rest after your flight or add an optional visit to the Giraffe Centre nearby. We run through your full Kenya Tanzania safari plan over dinner so you know exactly what each day covers.
- Day 2 to 3
Maasai Mara game drives
Drive to the Maasai Mara, stopping at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint on the way. Two full days of game drives follow, tracking lion, elephant and, in season, the wildebeest herds. Your guide adjusts routes daily based on fresh sightings reported over the radio network shared between camps.
- Day 4
Cross into Tanzania
Drive south to the Isebania border post, where your guide handles the paperwork on the Kenyan side and a Tanzanian driver guide takes over on arrival. Continue toward the Serengeti, watching the landscape open into endless plains. Expect a full travel day with a packed lunch en route.
- Day 5 to 6
Serengeti National Park
Two days of game drives across the central and northern Serengeti, home to the largest concentration of plains game in Africa. Depending on the month you may catch the great migration herds crossing the Mara or Grumeti rivers, a highlight many travellers rank above the Mara itself.
- Day 7
Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Drive to the rim of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping for views over the crater floor 600 metres below. Afternoon is free at your lodge to rest before the following morning’s descent into one of Africa’s densest wildlife areas.
- Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater floor
Descend into the crater at dawn for a full morning game drive across its grassland floor, where lion, rhino, elephant and flamingo all live within a compact, walled ecosystem. Climb back out by early afternoon and continue toward Arusha for the night.
- Day 9
Arusha and transfer options
A relaxed morning in Arusha with time for last minute shopping at a curio market, then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for a flight back to Nairobi, or continue overland if your Kenya Tanzania safari itinerary includes extra beach days in Zanzibar.
- Day 10
Depart Nairobi
Fly home from Nairobi, or extend with a beach add on such as our Kenya safari and beach holiday if you would rather end the trip on the coast than at an airport lounge.
Kenya Tanzania safari prices, guide only, per person sharing
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group joining | USD 1,890 | USD 1,890 | USD 1,890 |
| Private mid range | USD 6,950 | USD 5,450 | USD 4,250 |
| Private luxury | USD 8,850 | USD 7,300 | USD 6,150 |
- Group joining seats run on fixed departure dates and cost the same per person regardless of party size, roughly USD 1,595 to 2,240 depending on season.
- Private prices fall as party size grows since vehicle, guide and border fees are shared.
- Park fees, crater service fee and border costs are included; flights and tips are not.
- Confirm exact dates and pricing in writing on WhatsApp before you pay a deposit.
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- Private 4×4 with pop up roof and driver guide, or scheduled group joining vehicle
- 9 nights accommodation on your chosen tier
- All park and conservancy fees including the Ngorongoro crater service fee
- Border crossing assistance at Isebania
- Game drives as listed on the itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle each day
Not included
- International and regional flights
- Kenya and Tanzania visa fees
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks and items of a personal nature
- Optional balloon safari over the Mara or Serengeti
Why book a Kenya Tanzania safari
Kenya and Tanzania share the same ecosystem, so the wildlife does not stop at the border even though your passport gets an extra stamp.
Combining both countries on one Kenya Tanzania safari means you are not choosing between the Mara and the Serengeti, you simply see both, along with the Ngorongoro Crater that neither country can offer alone.
How the 10 day Kenya Tanzania safari itinerary works
The route runs Nairobi, Maasai Mara, overland border crossing, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha, with a flight back to Nairobi or onward to the coast.
Ten days gives enough time at each stop to actually track animals rather than just pass through, which is the main complaint travellers have about shorter combined trips.
Crossing the border from Kenya to Tanzania
Most Kenya Tanzania safari trips cross overland at the Isebania and Sirari border post between the Mara and the Serengeti, a drive of roughly 4 to 5 hours depending on road conditions.
Your Kenyan guide handles exit formalities, then a Tanzanian driver guide takes over for the onward journey, since local operators run each side of the border separately. A light aircraft transfer between the two parks is also possible for an added fee if you would rather skip the road time.
Kenya Tanzania safari cost explained
A Kenya Tanzania safari cost depends mostly on group size and accommodation tier, since park fees and border costs stay roughly fixed per person.
Group joining seats run about USD 1,595 to 2,240 per person depending on season, while a private trip for two starts nearer USD 6,950 for mid range lodges and rises for exclusive camps and a private vehicle throughout.
Best time for a Kenya Tanzania safari
July to October covers the great migration river crossings in the Mara and northern Serengeti and is the busiest and priciest season on both sides of the border.
January to March suits travellers chasing calving season on the southern Serengeti plains, with fewer vehicles at sightings and generally lower lodge rates than the mid year peak.
Masai Mara and Serengeti safari highlights
A Masai Mara and Serengeti safari gives you two distinct landscapes, the Mara’s rolling hills and river crossings against the Serengeti’s flatter, more open plains.
Predator sightings tend to be excellent on both sides and big cat behaviour differs enough between the two parks that repeat visitors often say each leg felt like a separate trip rather than more of the same.
Ngorongoro crater on your Kenya Tanzania safari
The Ngorongoro Crater adds black rhino sightings that are far from guaranteed elsewhere on a Kenya Tanzania safari, since the crater’s enclosed floor holds one of East Africa’s healthiest rhino populations.
A single morning inside the crater often produces more animal density than a full day anywhere else on the route, which is why it stays on the itinerary even though the descent adds a service fee.
Kenya and Tanzania safari packages: choosing your tier
Our Kenya and Tanzania safari packages run three tiers, group joining, private mid range and private luxury, each using the same route with different vehicles and lodges.
Group joining suits solo travellers and couples on a set budget who are comfortable sharing a vehicle with a small number of other guests on fixed dates.
Visas and documents for Kenya and Tanzania
Most nationalities need separate visas for Kenya and Tanzania, though the East Africa Tourist Visa covers both countries plus Rwanda on one application if you plan to stay within the region for your whole trip.
Apply online in advance through each country’s official portal, keep a printed and digital copy of your approval and make sure your passport has at least six months validity and blank pages left.
Packing and health notes for your trip
Pack layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons, plus a light rain jacket if you are travelling in the shoulder season, since weather on the crater rim can turn quickly.
See our what to pack for a Kenya safari checklist and our Kenya vaccinations guide for yellow fever and malaria advice before you travel.
Extending your Kenya Tanzania safari
Some travellers add extra nights on either side of this route rather than treating it as a fixed 10 day block, especially if flights make a longer stay more affordable.
A popular option is tacking on beach time after Arusha with our Kenya safari and Zanzibar package, or swapping the Serengeti leg for a longer migration focused route on our Maasai Mara and Serengeti migration safari page.
For the full breakdown of what Tanzania charges at each gate, see our Tanzania park fees guide and check current entry conditions on our is Kenya safe for tourists guide before you travel.
Ready to book your Kenya Tanzania safari
If this itinerary suits your dates, message us on WhatsApp with your travel month and group size and we will confirm live pricing and availability within a day.
You can also compare this route against our shorter great migration safaris or read our Kenya vs Tanzania safari guide if you are still deciding which country to prioritise.
Whichever tier you choose, every Kenya Tanzania safari we run is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any deposit changes hands, so there are no surprises once you land in Nairobi.
How to book your Kenya Tanzania safari
Booking your Kenya Tanzania safari with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every Kenya Tanzania safari plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good Kenya Tanzania safari into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
Is it worth doing Kenya and Tanzania in one trip?
Yes, for most first time visitors. A Kenya Tanzania safari lets you compare the Mara and Serengeti directly and adds the Ngorongoro Crater, which neither country offers alone. The main cost is time, since 10 days is the practical minimum to do both justice.
How do you cross from Kenya to Tanzania on safari?
Most trips cross overland at the Isebania and Sirari border post between the Mara and Serengeti, a drive of about 4 to 5 hours. Your Kenyan guide clears exit formalities and a Tanzanian guide takes over on the other side. A light aircraft transfer is also possible.
How much is a 10 day Kenya and Tanzania safari?
Group joining seats run roughly USD 1,595 to 2,240 per person depending on season. A private trip for two starts near USD 6,950 mid range and USD 8,850 for luxury camps, falling per person as group size grows. Confirm exact pricing on WhatsApp before booking.
What is the best time for a Kenya and Tanzania safari?
July to October covers the great migration river crossings and is the busiest, priciest season. January to March suits calving season on the Serengeti plains with fewer vehicles and generally lower lodge rates, though the Mara side stays good for wildlife year round.
Do I need two visas?
Most nationalities need a Kenya visa and a Tanzania visa separately, applied for online in advance. Travellers from eligible countries can instead apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda on one application if your whole trip stays within the region.
What is included in the price?
Your Kenya Tanzania safari price includes the vehicle, driver guide, accommodation on your chosen tier, park and conservancy fees, the Ngorongoro crater service fee and border crossing assistance. Flights, visas, tips and drinks outside meals are extra and are listed clearly before you book.
Can I join a group departure instead of a private safari?
Yes, group joining runs on fixed dates through the year and is the most affordable way to do this route, since you share the vehicle and guide cost with a small number of other travellers rather than booking privately.
Official information: Tanzania National Parks Authority.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
Chat on WhatsAppYou may also like
Great Migration Safaris 2026/2027 (Kenya and Tanzania)5 to 8 days, peak seasonFrom USD 1,450Kenya vs Tanzania Safari: Which Is Better?Read time 10 minFrom USD 850Maasai Mara vs Serengeti: Differences, Costs and When to GoRead time 11 minFrom USD 445Tanzania Safaris from Nairobi: Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire6 to 10 days depending on routeFrom USD 1,950
Kenya Safari and Beach Holiday Packages (7 to 14 Days)7 to 14 daysFrom USD 1,650Great Migration Calendar: Month by Month Guide (Kenya and Tanzania)Read time 9 minFrom USD 100 to 200